The first session of the six-party working group for the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue will take place in Beijing on May 12, Russian Interfax News Agency reported Wednesday, citing unnamed Russian Foreign Ministry official.  

The negotiations will involve representatives of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Republic of Korea, the United States, Japan, China, and Russia.

"The meeting will address issues relating to preparations for the third round of six-party talks on the DPRK issue," the official said.

The third round of six-nation talks is tentatively scheduled for late June.

The decision to create a working group was made during the second round of six-party talks in Beijing in February.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2004)